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Colin Kaepernick was unceremoniously benched during the 49ers' 26-6 loss to the Bears on Sunday in Chicago. Kaepernick had completed only one of five passes for 4 yards at the time he was pulled from the game, as the 49ers had a run-to-pass ratio of over 6-to-1 at the time.

Blaine Gabbert, who began the season as the stater, only to lose the job to Kaepernick, then entered the game, and completed 4-of-10 passes for 35 yards. This coming Sunday against the Jets, Kaepernick is retaining his role as the starter, 49ers offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins announced Tuesday.

"Kap's going to be the starter and we'll go from there," Modkins said. "We just decided during the game to see if Blaine could give us a spark. Kap's back as the starter. It's nothing other than that."

The Jets have one of the NFL's weakest pass defenses, so Kaepernick should presumably have an easier go of things than he did on Sunday. Then again, the Bears don't exactly have a great pass defense, either. So who knows? Either way, Kaepernick has four more weeks to prove to the 49ers and the rest of the NFL that he's deserving of another shot at a starting job next season. He amended his contract earlier this season and can now opt to become a free agent at the end of the year.

Kaepernick has completed 54.5 percent of his passes at 6.8 yards per attempt, while throwing 10 touchdowns and three interceptions in eight games (seven starts). He also has rushed for 393 yards and an additional touchdown on 52 carries.